After splitting the first two games of their first-round series with the Stars, the Nashville Predators rode into Dallas with the intent of regaining home ice advantage and thus the upper hand in the series. Nashville was still missing Brian Boyle, and Wayne Simmonds was out with a “lower body” injury, so Rocco Grimaldi and Miikka Salomaki took their places in the lineup. Pekka Rinne got the start in goal for Nashville, and the Predators defeated Dallas, 3-2.
From the opening whistle, the physicality that this game would radiate was obvious. Jamie Benn had an early hit on Calle Jarnkrok that got the crowd out of their seats, and they never sat back down for the rest of the first period.